Drilling operations are perhaps the most popular machining process being undertaken today, with their origins being traced back to cutting tool developments in North America in the 19th century. In 1864 toward the latter part of the American Civil War, Steven Morse (. later to design the significant ‘Morse taper’ – for accurate location of the ‘sleeved drills’ into their mating machine tool spindles) founded the Morse Twist Drill and Machine Company in the ‘North’.